The Wilwood kit does not come with a backing plate and there is no referal to one in the installation manual. I am not so much concerned about it, but would like to get some opinions from the board about the necessity of backing plates (not a daily driver). https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/B...year=1970&make=Buick&model=GS+455&option=Base Thanks
I wouldn't worry about it, depending on which spindles you have you may need to drill and tap the upper hole for the caliper bracket.............those parts are not included, I just bought a smaller bolt with the same head rather than spending the money for a special tap. No issues so far
Thanks Ben, just finished drilling and tapping. I got an extra set of spindles for the conversion. The hardest part was to get the 5/8 UNF tap here in Germany. had to wait about three weeks for it. No way here to get the bolts you refer to. Nobody else experience with backing plates; or the lack of them ?
I have 4 wheel discs on my `65 Skylark. I had already had factory front disc conversion on the car before I went 4 wheel so I already had backing plates on the front. The rears, of course, do not have backing plates and I see no reason to worry about it, probably no reason for you to worry about not having them on the front, either. They're basically just a stone shield so unless you live on a gravel road...………..
Really you could not find a 1/2-20 x1.25" long, flat, socket cap, 90* counter sunk bolt. I really dont know why wilwood just doesn't include both with the kit. Yeah it sit down a touch, but it grabs plenty of the bracket
Well, I did not find a source here in Germany for this kind of bolts, considering the approbriate grade. Having them shipped from US would have been more expensive than getting the tap from a source in Germany. An additional set of spindles was on my list anyway, as I want to keep the drum brake package complete (yeah I know, I am a hoarder). Technically I would have trusted your idea as well. 1/2" bolt is sufficient also.
Guess I really didn't think well, but maybe the supply of our normal thread pitches isn't very plentiful over there. Still wilwood should fix this issue and either supply 2 sets of bolts, or the parts needed to swap this over, there has to be many ppl that have run into this exact issue
If you need backing plates,actually I have the all thing to change to discs from a 87 GN if that works for you.I do have at least one backing plate from a 70 GS,don't know if I have the other side,I might.Bruno.
It was the combination UNF along with the shape of the head. I agree, the Wilwood should throw 4 more bolts into the kit. It was not a big deal for me, as I have the proper equipment and the skills. I can imagine however that some people are surprised when trying to pull the conversion thru within 2 hours at the curbside without reading the manual first. @ Bruno, thanks but I do not think that stock backing plates would fit.